Meeting with Valentina Tereshkova

Vladimir Putin extended
his birthday greetings to Valentina Tereshkova, pilot cosmonaut, the first
woman in space, Hero of the Soviet Union, and State Duma deputy.

March 6, 2017

13:30

The Kremlin, Moscow

The President issued an executive
order awarding the Order For Services to the Fatherland I Degree to Ms
Tereshkova, deputy chairperson of the State Duma Committee for Federal
Organisation and Local Government, for her outstanding contribution to strengthening
Russia’s statehood, developing parliamentarianism, and active legislative
work.

Valentina Tereshkova: Thank you very much. I am
very touched. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much for your
services to the Fatherland.

Ever since your legendary
space flight, you have always been a role model for us
and a symbol of service to the Fatherland in different
roles and different positions, and you continue this active service
now in the State Duma.

I know how much you
love our big common homeland, Russia, and your little homeland – your
home town of Yaroslavl. You think about it all the time, speak about
it whenever we meet. This is at the source of your strength–
your sincere love for your country.

Thank you very much.

Valentina Tereshkova: Thank you.

Work has already started
to strengthen the riverbanks in the town of Rybinsk.

Vladimir Putin: That is good to hear.

I have two gifts here.

(A sculpture, Seagull Landing
on Water, by Iulian Rukavishnikov, and a painting, Seagulls over
the Volga, by Vitaly Zaitsev).

This is homage to your
call sign – Seagull. And the beautiful painting, Seagulls over
the Volga, represents your home area.

Valentina Tereshkova: Thank you very much, Mr President.
I am moved by this sign of your attention and by your
kind words.

Thank you very much
for your attention to Yaroslavl Region and for appointing
someone who is already meeting with people there, visiting the towns,
and meeting not just with factory workers, but with the local
residents in general. This is a good start, and we are doing our
best to help.

Vladimir Putin: He [Acting Governor
of Yaroslavl Region Dmitry Mironov] will need your support. I know
that he is making a genuine effort and working hard. A lot still
remains to be done to win the people’s trust and support.

Valentina Tereshkova: We will do our best.

Vladimir Putin: I know that you continue your
active work in the Duma, and I would like to thank you
for this as well. When we have people like you in parliament, it
raises people’s trust in our top legislative body.